During my training for the priesthood I was once told by a eminent professor that every priest should assiduously read a daily newspaper. Only thus, ran the argument, would he be properly equipped for today's world. Being the dedicated student that I was (!) I have done my best to adhere to this advice, and it's amazing what one learns.

In last Monday's "Independent" (ordered by the parish priest but read in his absence by the curate) one headline in particular attracted my attention: "Faithful celebrate the, life of a cauliflower." To what could it be referring?

It transpires that last Sunday in Lower Earley, which is no far from Reading, "Asda's faithful -staff and customers flocked to their cathedral of consumerism a little early in the morning. " They went to attend a special harvest festive service taken by the local vicar and Asda's national director of fresh produce, who'd driven down from Leeds especially for the occasion. The service consisted of a belting out of the hymn 'We plough the fields and scatter’ a sermon on what a wonderful job Asda does in getting a cauliflower all the way from the fields to the supermarket shelves and a good number of prayers during which members of the congregation brought various gifts to the altar (a converted jumper display stand). It all sounded very unusual but perhaps that was the point.

There is always a danger in which familiarity breeds contempt. I have often wondered if this is one reason why people drift away from regular attendance at Sunday mass, the idea being that they've heard it all before. Should we be constantly dreaming up bright and beautiful liturgical occasions such as the Asda Harvest Festival or are we better employed continuing the worshipping tradition of our forbears? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere inbetween.

Hand in hand with our adoration of the divine must go the work of evangelisation. Such work does sometimes need to be unusual so perhaps we can learn from Asda's 'faithful' in Lower Earley. As the reporter accurately commented: "what mattered was that they were praying in a public place. Just like Jesus " Quite so! DG.